NEWS

Unguarded comments, caught on tape, dog candidates

WASHINGTON (AP) — Politicians keep making regrettable remarks that their opponents record and distribute, despite years of cautionary examples.

The latest cases occurred in tight Senate races.

In Iowa, Democratic congressman Bruce Braley had to apologize after describing six-term GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley as, quote, "a farmer from Iowa who never went to law school."

In New Hampshire, Republican Senate candidate Scott Brown seemed not to thoroughly think through his options when The Associated Press asked if the state was likely to elect a recent Massachusetts resident.

Brown replied: "Do I have the best credentials? Probably not. 'Cause, you know, whatever."

Democrats and late-night comics pounced.

And in Louisiana, Republican congressman Bill Cassidy is counter-punching Democrats who selectively excerpted his remarks about uninsured people. He had noted that some are illiterate.